Artists helping artists: If there’s one throughline in Julia Freeman’s career, both as VIsual Arts faculty at Northwest and as an award-winning artist in her own right, it is this.
Julia has instilled this philosophy among her students and colleagues during her decade at Northwest.
“There isn’t one way to teach art or one way to be an artist,” she said. “My main goal is for Northwest students to enjoy making art, be challenged by it and through that process, learn about art and themselves.”
Julia is also a proud contributor to Actualize AiR, a female-run arts collective in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. The Stranger recently recognized their work with a Genius Award for “building a model for what a sustainable artistic life in Seattle can look like.”
As an active member of the Seattle arts scene, Julia is able to encourage students to explore artistic media and formats, and find their place in the artistic community.
“We have a really special and thriving arts community here, and I want students to experience it, feel like they’re part of it, and understand that it’s something worth supporting and cherishing,” she said.
Julia’s real-world experience and knowledge of the Seattle arts community make her an invaluable bridge for young artists finding their place in the world. Whether she’s teaching Intro to Art or advanced Drawing and Sculpture courses, she seeks to graduate students who can invent their own direction.
“Northwest is so lucky to have her teaching such a wide range of media and levels,” said Visual Arts Department Chair, Claire Cowie. “She blends technical skill-building with practical studio habits and cultural relevance.”
Julia values the interdisciplinary foundation to Northwest's curriculum, that intentionally integrates the arts with other classes and courses.
“I see art integrated into math, science, and humanities, and it really helps reinforce that subject matter even more,” she said.
“My main goal is for Northwest students to enjoy making art, be challenged by it and, through that process, learn about art and about themselves.”
She encourages students to stretch out of their comfort zones at Northwest, so that they can feel at home dancing at a party, riffing on a piano at a family dinner, or drawing a portrait of a loved one.
Northwest's emphasis on a global perspective also informs Julia's approach to teaching art. “Identity and the world around us aren’t separate from art, that’s what art is made from,” she said.
She appreciates Northwest's commitment to giving students the tools to share their unique perspectives, while also challenging them to delve deeper and question what they see.
“I don’t want to tell them what their work should be about,” she said. “I want to help them figure out what matters to them and give them the tools to make something meaningful out of it. Art becomes a way to investigate yourself and the world around you.”
Catch more of Julia Freeman's art in the community: She is currently exhibiting her work at The Vatican in Georgetown and at Fresh Mochi in Beacon Hill.